I've struggled to write (and finish!!!) this so this post has been sitting in my drafts for more than six or seven months. Sorry, Snesus...! Recently, I got some belif samples in the mail and thought it was time to pull this out and finish it (while watching an Instagram live lol).

So, here is me....finally....pulling this review out of my drafts....!





Let me start with saying I like belif, its concept and everything, but actively dislike its price point at Sephora. The Aqua bomb cream is probably still my only favourite product in the brand's entire repertoire and that will likely not change.



This kit contains five items:

• belif Creamy cleansing foam moist 30 ml / 1.01 fl. oz
• belif bergamot herbal extract toner 20 ml / 0.67 fl. oz.
• belif Hungarian water essence / 10 ml / 0.33 fl. oz
• belif the true cream - aqua bomb 10 ml / 0.33 fl. oz.
• belif Moisturizing & firming eye cream 5 ml / 0.17 fl. oz.

creamy cleansing foam moist
 
ingredients

Myristic Acid, Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydrogenated Polydecene, *Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, *Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, *Nepeta Cataria Extract, *Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Leaf Extract, *Baptisia Tinctoria Root Extract, *Stellaria Media (Chickweed) Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sapindus Mukurossi Fruit Extract, Benincasa Cerifera Seed Extract, Acorus Calamus Root Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Powder, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyquaternium-7, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trisodium EDTA, **Fragrance, Citronnellol, Limonene.

*Napiers Original Formula.
**Fragrances of Natural Origin.

notable goodies:

• saponaria officinalis (soapwort) leaf extract - antimicrobial; skin conditioning; cleansing agent
• sapindus mukurossi (soapberry) fruit extract - helps with eczema, acne; cleansing agent
• benincasa cerifera (winter melon) seed extract - helps to ease skin irritation/dryness
• acorus calamus root extract - skin conditioning; easing of skin irritation
• artemisia princeps (mugwort) leaf powder - helps to ease skin irritation/itchiness

 Napiers original formula

• avena sativa (oat) kernel extract - often used for relieving itchy skin
• Calendula Officinalis flower extract - (occlusive) skin conditioning agent
• nepeta cataria extract - tonic, helps to soothe & protect skin with eczema, psoriasis and acne
• rubus idaeus (raspberry) leaf extract- anti-inflammatory, anti-aging benefits
• baptisia tinctoria root extract - skin conditioning agent
• stellaria media (chickweed) extract - treatment for itchiness, but also used in medicine to help treat skin diseases, arthritis.

I'm going to straightforward: the cleanser smelled rancid, like fish or something rotting...?! This is what put me off. I may just have a bad tube, though. But it's just gross, to me.

That aside, while the cleanser is creamy and an ideal formula, it left my skin unusually dry and stripped, so I suspect that it has a higher than average pH level. I'm leaving that exciting reveal to an upcoming mega review I'm working on that includes reviews (and pH tests) of around 25 cleansers from my stash--all so I can destash.





bergamot herbal extract toner


ingredients

Water, Monarda Didyma Leaf Extract 8%, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat, Butylene Glycol, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Methylpropanediol, Polyglutamic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Glyceryl Acrlate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, *Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, *Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, *Nepeta Cataria Extract, *Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Leaf Extract, *Baptisia Tinctoria Root Extract, *Stellaria Media (Chickweed) Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Glycereth-26, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, PEG/Ppg/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Peg/Ppg-17/6 Copolymer, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Caster Oil, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Octyldodeceth-16, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenyl Trimethicone, Tromethamine, Trisodium EDTA, Fragrance**, Citronnellol, Limonene.

*Napiers Original Formula.
**Fragrances of Natural Origin.


notable goodies:

• monarda didyma (bergamot) leaf extract 8% - skin-conditioning, but dat scent! Did ya ma?
• salvia officinalis (sage) leaf extract - anti-aging; emulsifier
• corchorus olitorius leaf extract - skin-conditioning
• portulaca oleracea extract - antioxidant

 Napiers original formula

• avena sativa (oat) kernel extract - often used for relieving itchy skin
• Calendula Officinalis flower extract - (occlusive) skin conditioning agent
• nepeta cataria extract - tonic, helps to soothe & protect skin with eczema, psoriasis and acne
• rubus idaeus (raspberry) leaf extract- anti-inflammatory, anti-aging benefits
• baptisia tinctoria root extract - skin conditioning agent
• stellaria media (chickweed) extract - treatment for itchiness, but also used in medicine to help treat skin diseases, arthritis. 

Even with these various plant extracts in mind (particularly the 8% of the bergamot extract), this toner is more or less like a hydrating toner. Thankfully, it's not too drying but there is alcohol denat higher up in the ingredients list, so while could be used with the 3 or 7-skin method, it also doesn't suit it...? In the bottle, the toner smells pleasant, like fresh herbs. But once applied, you can smell the alcohol overtaking all traces of the initial herbal scent, but then it dissipates after the toner is rubbed lightly into the skin. It leaves the skin incredibly soft to the touch, but not quite hydrated, as if something is missing.


Of course, as I write this, the area on my hand of where I swatch this, is incredibly soft. The kind of soft of when you shave your legs (using conditioner as a shaving cream) and they are silky soft. But for me, I can get the same or similar result with other affordable products (Gokus! Kikus!), ones that are half the price, and easier to access online.




hungarian water essence


ingredients

Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Extract, Salvia Officinalis(Sage) Leaf Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Peucedanum Graveolens (Dill) Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Rose Extract, Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, *Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, *Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, *Nepeta Cataria Extract, *Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Leaf Extract, *Baptisia Tinctoria Root Extract, *Stellaria Media (Chickweed) Extract, +Alchemilla Vulgaris Leaf Extract, **Equisetum Arvense Leaf Extract, **Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Leaf Extract, **Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Triethylhexanoin, Tromethamine, Sclerotium Gum, Ammonium Acryloyldimethltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Trisodium EDTA, ***Fragrance, Citronnellol, Limonene.

*Napiers Original Formula. 
**Napiers Aqua Formula. 
***Fragrances of Natural Origin.


notable goodies:

• rosemary, rose, sage, dill, lavender, extracts

 *Napiers Original Formula

• portulaca oleracea extract - antioxidant
• avena sativa (oat) kernel extract - often used for relieving itchy skin
  
• Calendula Officinalis flower extract - (occlusive) skin conditioning agent 
• nepeta cataria extract - tonic, helps to soothe & protect skin with eczema, psoriasis and acne
• rubus idaeus (raspberry) leaf extract- anti-inflammatory, anti-aging benefits
• baptisia tinctoria root extract - skin conditioning agent 
• stellaria media (chickweed) extract - treatment for itchiness, but also used in medicine to help treat skin diseases, arthritis.  

 **Napiers Aqua Formula

• equisetum arvense (common horsetail) leaf extract - likely for reducing swelling/puffiness
• urtica dioica (nettle) leaf extract - helps to reduce acne, acne scarring
• plantago lanceolata leaf extract - skin conditioning agent

belif's Hungarian water essence, much like the Aqua bomb cream, provides a nice boost of hydration. The clear essence is more like a watery gel, without being too runny. It spreads evenly on the skin and leaves the skin surface soft, but does leaves a slight tackiness if too much applied too soon after the previous product applied, during your skincare routine. Allowing enough time for other product to set in before applying is ideal.


This essence runs on the more expensive side at ~$42 (Sephora) for 75ml, and similar prices elsewhere online.



the true cream - aqua bomb
 
ingredients

Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Methl Trimethicone, Alcohol Denat, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Malakite Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Alchemilla Vulgaris Leaf Extract*, Equisetum Arvense Leaf Extract*, Stellaria Media (Chickweed) Extract*, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Leaf Extract*, Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract*, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract**, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract**, Nepeta Cataria Extract**, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Leaf Extract**, Baptisia Tinctoria Root Extract**, Dimethiconol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Acrylate/Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Dimethylacrylamide Crosspolymer, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 60, Ceramide 3, Cholesterol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Phenl Trimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Panthenol, Squalane, Triethylhexanoin, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, PEG-150, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, C14-22 Alcohols, Arachidyl Glucoside, Hydrogenated Lecithin, PEG-100 Stearate, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Trisodium EDTA, Fragrance+, Citronellol, Limonene, Citral, Geraniol, Linalool.

* : Napiers aqua formula
** : Napiers original formula
+ : Fragrances Of Natural Origin

notable goodies:

Napiers aqua formula

•  alchemilla vulgaris (lady's mantle) leaf extract  - antioxidant; helps to minimize pores
• equisetum arvense (common horsetail) leaf extract - likely for reducing swelling/puffiness
• stellaria media (chickweed) extract - treatment for itchiness, but also used in medicine to help treat skin diseases, arthritis. 
• urtica dioica (nettle) leaf extract - helps to reduce acne, acne scarring
• plantago lanceolata leaf extract - skin conditioning agent

 Napiers original formula

• avena sativa (oat) kernel extract - often used for relieving itchy skin
• Calendula Officinalis flower extract - (occlusive) skin conditioning agent
• nepeta cataria extract - tonic, helps to soothe & protect skin with eczema, psoriasis and acne
• rubus idaeus (raspberry) leaf extract- anti-inflammatory, anti-aging benefits
• baptisia tinctoria root extract - skin conditioning agent

• caprylic/capric triglyceride - fatty acid from coconut glycerin, helps to replenish moisture loss
• malachite - antioxidant

Looking at the ingredients, the Aqua bomb cream contains various plants extracts that help with soothing and conditioning the skin, as well as easing itchiness (accosted with dry skin) and acne, while helping to minimize pores. I feel like the pore minimization is a long shot, but this cream does exactly as marketed: it hydrates.  It soothes.



The cream is a light, watery gel-like consistency. It's also faintly blue, but not as blue as Laneige Water Sleeping Mask, nor as strong of a scent. The Aqua bomb cream has a light, "natural" scent, but to me, it smells faintly of citrus and musk. And a little reminiscent of cleaning supplies!

Once on the skin, the cream spreads thinly but really feels like a burst of hydration to the skin. It's almost the same level of shock when you force your overheated body into a cold shower, or pool. That burst of change is just...woah.

Typically, (except this swatch) I've only tested this on the apples of my cheeks, where my driest areas are on my face, and only used towards the end of my routine.  The following morning, or after a significant period of time had passed, my cheeks were soft and noticeably less dry. I am taking care of my skin much better lately, especially through the cold, dry PNW winter gloom--my cheeks aren't flaky anymore but there's sometimes noticeable lines (not wrinkles) that are probably from dehydration, only if you look closely.

The Aqua bomb cream erases those lines, seemingly making my face plumper.


What also takes my breath away is the price, stateside. At $38 for the full size from Sephora, it's bit much. If you dig around, there's some listings for a couple bucks cheaper, but it's just...so much...so, please convince me that I don't need this! 



moisturizing & firming eye cream

ingredients

Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polydecene, PEG-75, Methyl Trimethicone, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ceteary Polyglyceryl-10 Behenate/Eicosadioate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dimethicone/ Alcohol, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Jojoba Esters, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hydrogenated Lecithin, C12-16 Alcohols, Palmitic Acid, Arachidyl Alcohol, Beta-Glucan, Methylpropanediol, Polyglutamic Acid, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Cetearyl Oilvate, Sorbitan Olivate, Betaine, PEG-40 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Behenate/Eicosadioate, Panthenol, Silica, Tromethamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, *Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, *Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, *Nepeta Cataria Extract, *Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Leaf Extract, *Baptisia Tinctoria Root Extract, *Stellaria Media (Chickweed) Extract, +Alchemilla Vulgaris Leaf Extract, +Viola Tricolor Extract, +Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, +Spiraea Ulmaria Flower Extract, +Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, **Euphrasia Officinalis Extract, **Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, **Achillea Millefolium Flower Extract, **Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Leaf Extract, **Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract, **Vaccinium Myrtillus Friut Extract, **Equisetum Arvense Leaf Extract, Trisodium EDTA, ++Fragrance, Citronnellol, Limonene.

*Napiers Original Formula.
+Napiers Moisture Formula. 
**Napiers Formula AA. 
++Fragrances of Natural Origin.

notable goodies:

•  portulaca oleracea extract - helps to soothe skin
• theobroma grandiflorum seed butter - occlusive; skin conditioning agent
• macadamia ternifolia seed oil - fatty acid oil, helps to condition skin
• limnanthes alba (meadowfoam) seed oil - antioxidant properties

Napiers Moisture Formula

• alchemilla vulgaris (lady's mantle) leaf extract - used to heal wounds; helps to ease dry, rough skin
• viola tricolor extract - skin soothing, antioxidants
• rosa damascena flower extract - skin soothing, antioxidants
• spiraea ulmaria flower extract - toning, anti-inflammatory benefits
• althaea officinalis (white marsh mallow) root extract - anti-aging, heals scars; anti-inflammatory agent

Wow!! What an ingredients list!

More or less, I am a believer in eye creams but am also late to the party. It's one part of my routine that I just don't care about, forget to do or dislike the effort. I shouldn't take this approach, but I'm trying my best--I just dislike heavy creams on my under eye area.

belif's Moisturizing & firming eye cream is different to the eye creams I've tried, in that it's light. The cream spreads easily on the skin, but manages to actually absorb into my eye bags! The shock, the horror!!!!!


The eye cream is white but within seconds, melts to a clear, semi-watery goop after being warmed by the fingertips.  Even after initial minimal use, I noticed my under eyes appeared to be softer and just that much more hydrated. The line that extends from in the inner corners of my eyes and outward, was less pronounced--a sure feat!

Overall, I enjoyed the Aqua bomb cream and the Hungarian water essence the most. Because how soft it made my skin, the toner is a close runner-up with the eye cream. The cleanser was just...Not Good.

I do regret not writing this many months ago, but better late than never!

Thanks for reading, and good night~!